Our Mission

The Mériscope is a registered non-profit organization in Canada dedicated to protecting marine mammals, other marine life and the marine environment through research, education, outreach and conservation.

We are conducting research projects on marine mammals in cooperation with universities, other NGOs and federal authorities.

We are promoting education in marine and environmental sciences through a course program in marine biology and our Sails & Whales program.

We are actively involved in organizations aiming to protect the marine environment of the St. Lawrence Estuary.

We are a member of the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Network.

The Mériscope is based on the north shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary, about 300 km northeast of Québec City.

Track record of the Mériscope:

2001: Launch of a course program in marine biology for students and the general public.

2002: Creation of a network with several universities in Europe and North America.

2003: Implementation of a wetland sanctuary on the St. Lawrence north shore, in collaboration with other NGOs.

2004: Admission as institutional member to the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Network.

2005: Award for environmental excellence, attributed by the Tartan order.

2006: Organization of a course in integrated management of coastal areas, in collaboration with the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR).

2007: Endorsement of the Mériscope as a regional key project for sustainable development by the Research Chair of Canada in Rural Development.

2009: Acquisition of the NARVAL, a fully equipped rigid-hulled inflatable boat, for research projects, rescue and disentanglement operations.

2010: Development of a model to assist the integrated management of human activities in the proposed St. Lawrence Estuary Marine Protected Area, in collaboration with the Univ. of Montreal and the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans.

2011: Launch of our sustainable whale watching program.

2012: Membership with the Regional University Corporation and service as board member of the Corporation.

2013: Launch of our "Sails & Whales" program; Launch of the Mériscope minke whale catalogue; Participation in an interactive workshop on marine mammals and debris entanglement, with Scott Landry and other experts.

2014: Conclusion of a partnership agreement with the Municipality of Longue-Rive, laying the foundation for a permanent research station; "Sails & Marine Ecology", a 5-day course in collaboration with Voile Mercator and the regional school board.

2015: Launch of a 3-year research project on bioaccumulation and biological effects of priority emerging contaminants in minke whales and belugas of the St. Lawrence, in close cooperation with two universities, two federal authorities, and GREMM.

2016: Development of a sound monitoring buoy, the "MériScout 1" (prototype).